Everton handed major boost as David Moyes responds to transfer speculation
Iliman Ndiaye had been loosely linked with a move away from Everton.
Everton are gearing up to face Aston Villa this weekend, with David Moyes looking to get his side back to winning ways amid a major squad depth crisis.
However, there is still a clear priority for transfer business, of which the Toffees have not done any, 16 days into the January transfer window.
In terms of incomings, Youssef En-Nesyri has been linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with several other players mooted as potential targets.
However, Ndiaye has also been linked with an exit from Everton, with Moyes responding to the speculation in his latest press conference.
Iliman Ndiaye rumours force David Moyes to speak out
Ndiaye is by far Everton’s most talented player, and his absence has certainly been felt as a result of his participation at AFCON.
He will again be missing when the Toffees take on the Villans, with Senegal due to face Morocco in the AFCON final on Sunday evening.
However, despite his absence on Merseyside, he hasn’t been absent from the news headlines, with some loose reports stating that Everton have had to turn down an approach for him.
This question was put forward to Moyes in his press conference, and the Scotsman shut down those claims emphatically.
He said: “There’s absolutely zero truth in that. If there is, I don’t know anything about it, that’s for sure.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’ve never even heard of it, to be honest. It sounds like someone has made that up somewhere, you know what I mean.
“We’ve no intention of letting Ili go, none whatsoever. I’m sure there’s a price for every player on the planet if you look around, but if you ask me, we have no intention of selling Ili – we need him back.“
Moyes was less enthusiastic about incoming business
Keeping Ndiaye has to be the priority for Everton, and based on Moyes’ comments, it seems as though they are well placed to do that.
However, their ability to progress further will be determined by who they can bring in this month, with the Toffees in desperate need of a striker at the very minimum.
Everton are believed to have had a bid accepted for En-Nesyri, with the player yet to decide on the move.
With that said, even if that deal is to happen, it sounds as though there will be very few, if any, players coming through the door after him.
Moyes added in his press conference: “All managers are hoping to get bigger [budgets] but I think the club has outlined that what we spent in the summer, that was the main part.
“It’s not me saying it, the CEO is saying it as well: we don’t expect to be doing too much business.”
The Scotsman has certainly not ruled out any business, but it may be difficult to see them bringing in anything other than a striker this month.
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